Utilitarianism

Question 1

What type of theory is Utilitarianism?

Answer 1

Teleological theory

Consequentialist

Question 2

Teleological

Answer 2

Goodness or badness is determined by the results or outcomes

- the end justifies the means

Question 3

Consequentialist

Answer 3

Looks at the consequences of an action

Question 4

Bentham’s idea of the ‘principle of utility’

Answer 4

‘The greatest happiness for the greatest number’

Question 5

Utility

Answer 5

The usefulness of the results of actions

Question 6

Hedonistic theory

Answer 6

‘Good’ is determined in terms of happiness and pleasure

Question 7

Hedonism

Answer 7

Term used to describe an attitude that makes happiness the goal of life

Question 8

Epicureans thought of pleasure

Answer 8

Intellectual enjoyment was a pleasure worth seeking

- mental pleasure was better than physical

Question 9

Hedonic calculus

Answer 9

Takes all the available option in a scenario then weighs up the pain and pleasure

Question 10

John Locke + David Hume - source of information

Answer 10

Empiricists focused on information from the world rather than just logic alone

Question 11

Bentham’s view of happiness

Answer 11

Humans work to achieve happiness

Question 12

Strengths of Utilitarianism

Answer 12

• Recognises we have a strong internal conviction that an action can not be right
• Easier to apply in ethical decision making
• Removes need to work out how best to apply principle of utility
• Allows some flexibility

Question 13

Weaknesses of Utilitarianism

Answer 13

• Mill does not provide a way to categorise pleasures
• Needs a lengthy analysis about how to behave
• Difficulty knowing when rules can be broken

Question 14

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 14

= John Stuart Mill

• Qualitative
• Right action = follows rules
• Universal morals
• Happiness over pleasure

Question 15

Act Utilitarianism

Answer 15

= Jeremy Bentham

• Quantitative
• Right action = maximises pleasure, minimises pain
• End justifies the means
• Hedonic calculus
• works out rules for each situation
• Principle of utility

Question 16

John Stuart Mill

Answer 16

• a Hedonist
• stressed happiness over pleasure
• did not agree with the quantitative emphasis in Bentham’s approach

Question 17

Qualitative

Answer 17

looking at the quality of the pleasure

Question 18

Mill said “…”

Answer 18

“better to be a human being dissatisfied then a pig satisfied”

• quality of the pleasure that counts

Question 19

Mill’s belief about pleasure

Answer 19

Higher pleasures are intellectual ones, distinguishing difference between human and animal pleasures

Question 20

Higher pleasure

Answer 20

satisfy the mind

Question 21

Lower pleasure

Answer 21

satisfy the body

Question 22

Strong Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 22

General rules deduced should not be broken

Question 23

Weak Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 23

General rules deduced can be broken

Question 24

Factors of Act Utilitarianism

Answer 24

• judged every situation individually and in isolation from the community
• flexible but time consuming
• could not be used to justify anything

Question 25

Factors of Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 25

- practical to use when creating rules for society - there needed to be general rules in order for a happy society to function - can sacrifice individual pleasure

Question 26

Harm Principle

Answer 26

Action of individuals only limited to prevent harm to other individuals

Question 27

Instrumentally good

Answer 27

Actions are determined right or wrong by what they produce

Question 28

Universalisable

Answer 28

Linked to Mill's Rule Utilitarianism, the ethical rule should apply to all

Question 29

Weaknesses of the Hedonic Calculus

Answer 29

- confusing to follow for different situations - time consuming - subjective of the measure of happiness/pain - not personal enough - too general to all situations

Question 30

Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 30

Moral actions are right or wrong according to how they fit the preferences of those involved - does not require experience

Question 31

Singer's appproach

Answer 31

Concerned with minimising suffering rather then maximising pleasure - considers the preference of all involved (including animals) - there is a greater agreement about what causes pain than that which gives you pleasure

Question 32

Strengths: Negative Utilitarianism

Answer 32

- more ways to do harm than good | - someone would rather ensure against pain before pursuing happiness

Question 33

Weaknesses: Negative Utilitarianism

Answer 33

- does not recognise that some suffering may be valuable | - may be vulnerable to 'experience machine' objective + if the aim is just to avoid pain

Question 34

Strength: Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 34

- people can clearly state what their preference is in the situation - easier to satisfy preferences

Question 35

Weaknesses: Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 35

- difficulties making decisions - not recognising the preference of certain individuals - some people may not be able to express their true preference